The Dale City Civic Association is pleased
to offer community/volunteer service hours
to any high school students, or to anyone that
would like to help at these events.

Community Recognition Awards Banquet

The upcoming Dale City Civic Association Awards Banquet will be held on January 27th, starting at 6:30 at VFW Post 1503 on Minnieville Road in Dale City

March 24, 2018

Easter Egg Hunt

THE EASTER EGG HUNT HAS BEEN CANCLED DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE WEATHER ON THE PARK

We will have a community "Easter Egg Hunt". Come help us spread goodwill and help with the planning and/or activities.
Please come and join us. There will be games, food, a DJ and more. 1 pm-4 pm at Cloverdale Park.

*A rain date will be announced if necessary. More information down below.

July 4

Dale City Independence DayParade & Family Fun Day

We Partner with ten other organizations to put on one of the best parades in Pr. Wm. County. D.C.C.A. is still spearheading the Family Fun Day, half
of the parade. Some of the other organizations have really been pitching in to help.

*Undertaking a huge event like this for the community to enjoy is costly so we need lots of help from residents and businesses.
There are many ways to help us cover the costs including: placing an ad in the program booklet;
encouraging businesses to advertise in the booklet; simply making a tax deductible donation; or joining
The Dale City Civic Association and volunteering at the event

The guest speakers, special presentations, and updates provided at each General Meeting of the Dale City Civic Association are a great way to stay informed and learn how to be more involved. The presentation made by guest speaker Selonia Miles representing the Autism Society of Northern Virginia on April 12th. was no exception. Here are some of the key points from her presentation:

Autism is a lifelong disorder for which there are treatments, but no cure and which affects each individual differently within a wide spectrum and the effects can change throughout the individual’s life. There is some genetic basis and likelihood of occurrence with several individuals within a family. Right now, autism affects 1:68 individuals. Signs include: lack of typical social interaction, different sensory input and output, repetitive movements, difficulty with change, and communication impediments.

Early diagnosis is a key to planning for and building a healthy life. If a family member, medical professional, friend notice tendencies and proper help is sought, there is a much better prognosis. After formal diagnosis it is very important for the individual and family to seek help and support from groups like ASNV, the ARC, etc. If the individual is a child, it is important to work within the school system to develop a helpful Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Support groups and churches, etc. often have conferences and there is an advocacy day each year in the General Assembly. Much more needs to be done in this regard as Virginia is 39th out of the 50 states as far as autism support.

It is important for families with members affected by autism to seek advocates (some are available pro bono), keep very organized, extensive records, and be aware of things to be considered such as Social Security, respite care, guardianship, and power of attorney.

ASNV runs on donations, grants, fundraisers, and volunteer power so any way in which groups and individuals can help in those areas are needed.

Please Invite your neighbors and attend future DCCA meetings held the second Thursday of each month except August and December at the Birchdale Rec Center at the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Birchdale Road. Be part of the Voice of Dale City!

Dale City Civic Association Scholarship Opportunities

One of the most exciting projects of the Dale City Civic Association is the opportunity to provide scholarships for deserving students who are residents of Dale City
who have not only worked hard academically, but also taken community service to heart, assisting them to further their education and prepare to be our future leaders.
If you are a high school senior residing in Dale City or know someone who is, please view the criteria and application and submit that according to the instructions provided.

Attendees at the January 11, 2018 DCCA general meeting once again were given
information to help them with an issue that is important to everyone-in this case, home
ownership. 2nd Vice President Monique Ralston-Ratliff introduced our evening’s
speaker, Regina Pinckney from VA Housing Development Authority. Our president
and 2nd vice president met Ms. Pinckney at a recent Black Business Expo at Ebenezer
Baptist Church.

The VA Housing Development Authority (VHDA Website) is a non-profit created by the
Virginia General Assembly in 1972 to help make stable, healthy home ownership
available at reasonable cost for all Virginia residents. Various helpful information forms
are available on the VHDA website. The group works with lenders all over the state and
many have rates below market. Points of interest:

FHA has mortgage insurance for the life of the loan.

Many people don’t have the approximately $10K to put down into getting into a
home. VHDA will help set up a 101.5% loan with no closing costs if the applicant
has at least a 1% reserve based upon the amount of the home’s cost.

They have loan programs that will work with someone with a credit score as low
as 620 and still finance 100% of the loan.

Through Fannie Mae there is a 97 no MI where an applicant puts 3% down and
requires no mortgage insurance.

There are also grants available for qualified applicants for percentages of closing
and they are forgiven at time of settlement.

There are mortgage credit certificates free with VHDA loans that go towards the
20% interest you pay which helps with taxes.

DCCA Fashion Show October 28, 2017

Dale City Civic Association's First Fashion Show on October 28, 2017 was enjoyed by DCCA members and friends from around the community alike. Good food, beautifully featured fashions, fabulous door prizes, exciting vendor wares, and plain old socializing made for a great event-the organization's first big fundraiser to benefit the scholarship fund. Thanks to: Westminster for the venue and food; Dress Barn for gorgeous apparel worn so beautifully by our models; vendors Holly Jenkins and Lisa Grant; those who provided support through ads, door prizes, and attendance; Mike Beaty for photos to post; Joe Sweatnam for musical accompaniment; and the DCCA members on the event committee. Great job everyone! Here's to more such events and expanded service to our awesome community!

Gar-Field Senior Highschool Hall of Fame inductee

Ernestine Jenkins has has devoted her life to public service and supporting Gar-Field
High school. She has been an advocate for education and continues to stay involved with Gar-Field. Ms. Jenkins annually supports back-to-school nights, athletic activities and homecoming events, and is actively involved with the scholarship committee for outstanding students. Her support for Gar-Field goes back the 1970's when her three sons played football. Ms. Jenkins has also been active in the Boosters Club for many years, raising funds for team uniforms and other necessities.
Ernestine continues to hold Offices and volunteers in multiple Dale City organizations. She has been an advocate for education and continues to be involved at GarField, attending athletic, musical and boosters events.

Dale City Civic Association delivering supplies to Bel Air Elementary

Thanks to the extreme generosity of Whitlock Wealth Management and employees like Valerie Meale, Dale City Civic Association was able to wind up its school supply drive by delivering a substantial amount of items to Mrs. McDonald and her staff at Bel Air Elementary. The staff indicated the supplies would really make a difference to many students.
Be part of community efforts like this by joining the Dale City Civic Association. The "Voice of Dale City" organization meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Birchdale Community Center.